On December 5, 2022, 22-year-old Jayveyon Burley picked up his two children — 3-year-old Zayveyon and 1-year-old Leilani Dream Burley — from their mother's home in Long Beach, California. He returned to his mother's home in Inglewood with only his son, prompting the grandmother to call police about her missing granddaughter. Officers located Leilani's body in the Los Angeles River below the Ocean Boulevard Bridge in Long Beach. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was drowning and ruled the manner of death a homicide. The children's mother stated that Burley threw or dropped the child off the bridge. Burley was arrested and charged with murder and assault on a child causing death.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
The LA County Medical Examiner report lists the cause of death as "DROWNING" and the place of death as "RIVER." The child's body was recovered from the Los Angeles River. Multiple news articles confirm the body was found in the river below the Ocean Boulevard Bridge.
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The NY Post article quotes the mother Lynisha Hull stating "He dropped her, or threw her, over the bridge." The ABC7 article quotes Hull saying "He threw her off the bridge." Being thrown or dropped from a bridge into a river constitutes an inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
All sources identify Jayveyon/Jayveon Burley as the biological father of Leilani Burley. The NY Post states "A 22-year-old California father was charged with murdering his baby daughter." The ABC7 article quotes the mother: "My daughter was murdered by her father." He was charged with murder and assault on a child causing death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Multiple sources confirm Jayveyon Burley was arrested and charged. The NY Post reports he "was charged with murdering his baby daughter" and "also charged with assault on a child causing death." The CBS article states he "was arrested on suspicion of murder and child endangerment." The ABC7 article confirms the charges and notes his arraignment was postponed until January 10.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.